Program in Political Science College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Central Michigan University

CMU's Master of Arts in Political Science Prepares Students for Careers in National and International Arenas

Central Michigan University, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, offers a comprehensive Master of Arts in Political Science program with a choice of concentrations in American politics or comparative politics and international relations.

With more than 28,000 students (over 20,000 at the main campus), Central Michigan University is located in Mt. Pleasant, 61 miles north of the state capital of Lansing. The university's campus is situated on 480 acres in a scenic park-like setting. The Chippewa River, a popular recreational waterway, flows through the charming university town of 26,000 residents.

One of over 70 graduate programs offered by the renowned university's College of Graduate Studies, the Political Science program prepares Central Michigan graduates to be competitive when applying to PhD programs, law schools, or other graduate programs. Equally, graduates will be well trained for careers in federal, state, and local government, public administration, the Foreign Service, teaching positions at community colleges or high schools, and a variety of careers in the private sector.

Political Science Professors Are Inspiring Educators and Accomplished Researchers

The political science master's program provides rigorous academic training in small graduate classes that stimulate spirited faculty-student discussions and a deeper understanding of the diverse models, approaches, and intellectual traditions within political science. Weekend and evening classes are available for working professionals.

Faculty members are passionate educators and mentors who have distinguished themselves in comparative politics, public policy, international relations, U.S. politics, and political theory. They regularly publish and present their work at the most prestigious conferences in their field.

Political science professors share in a university-wide philosophy of teaching that involves students in applied scholarship, research, and creative activities. Coursework is enhanced with speakers, workshops, and many other global connections.

Under the guidance and tutelage of caring professors, students learn research skills necessary to complete their research objectives, sharpen their ability to think critically, and effectively express their thoughts in written and oral communication. Coursework is further enhanced by opportunities for professional growth through research and presentations at professional conferences, as well as opportunities to network within the field of study through internships, honorary organizations, and on-campus events.

Hands-On Research Opportunities for Political Science Students

Central Michigan University was recently ranked among the nation's top 20 research institutions among universities with 16 or fewer doctoral programs. The university's commitment to research is evidenced by the quality of graduate students' theses. Recent papers focused on "Democracy Building in Egypt: The Persuasive Power of Education," "Measuring the Attitudes and Knowledge of Students toward the Darfur Conflict," and "Public-Private Partnerships in Border Security Policy: A Case Study of Customs in America and Europe."

Master of Arts in Political Science Curriculum

The 36-credit Master of Arts in Political Science curriculum includes four core courses: "American Public Policy Making," "Seminar in Comparative Politics," "Seminar in Political Theory," and "Research in Public Administration in Political Science." Graduate students then take 12 hours in their chosen concentration, American politics or comparative politics and international relations.

The remaining credits cover six elective hours and the option of a six-credit thesis or non-thesis plan, the latter being an option for students who expect the master's degree to be their terminal degree and do not plan to continue on to a PhD program or law school.

The curriculum of the American politics concentration includes two required courses: "American National Government" and "Politics and Intergovernmental Relations in the United States," as well as six elective hours.

Required courses of the comparative politics and international relations concentration include "Comparative Public Policy" and "Problems and Processes of International Development." Students must also select "Seminar in International Relations" or "International Law I," as well as three elective hours.

Master of Arts in Political Science, Accelerated Degree Program

Central Michigan University's Accelerated Degree Program allows highly motivated students to advance their academic careers by taking graduate course work toward the traditional Master of Arts in Political Science degree simultaneously with undergraduate course work. By taking up to 12 credit hours of political science graduate course work during their senior year, a student need only complete sufficient additional coursework to meet the MA degree requirements. This option is only available for undergraduate students currently enrolled at CMU.

Students Hone Diplomatic Skills in the Society of the United Nations

Political science graduate students have the opportunity to participate in CMU's Society of the United Nations, an innovative student organization that gives students a working knowledge of the United Nations via a Model United Nations simulation.

When students serve as delegates during national Model UN conferences, they act as full delegates from their countries in simulated UN General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council meetings. Students debate in formal and informal caucuses, negotiate with other representatives according to their country's positions on various issues, and write resolutions and amendments.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Political Science Master of Arts (MA) [comparative/international politics]
  Master of Arts (MA) [American politics]

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? Not reported
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Alternate accepted
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• AppliedNot Reported
• AcceptedNot Reported
• Acceptance RateNot Reported
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $35
• Application Fee - International $45
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline June 1st Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline October 1st Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesNot Reported

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$8,208
• Out-of-state tuition *$13,788
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableCareer or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Graduate Assistantships, out-of-state merit awards, non-resident graduate awards

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students17
• Female Percentage29%
• Male Percentage71%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students17
• Part-time Percentage41%
• Full-time Percentage59%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American43%
• White / Caucasian29%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native14%
• Asian0%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown14%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty12
• Full-time Percentage92%
• Part-time Percentage8%
• Female Percentage17%
• Male Percentage83%